Editing Petra (section)

== Layout ==
[[file:Al-Siq 2.jpg|thumb|The narrow passage ([[Siq]]) that leads to Petra]]

Petra is adjacent to the mountain of [[Jebel al-Madhbah|Jabal Al-Madbah]], in a [[Depression (geology)|basin]] surrounded by mountains forming the eastern flank of the [[Arabah]] valley running from the [[Dead Sea]] to the [[Gulf of Aqaba]].<ref name="EB1911" />

Excavations have demonstrated that it was the ability of the Nabataeans to control the water supply that led to the rise of the desert city, creating an artificial [[oasis]]. The area is visited by [[flash flood]]s, but archaeological evidence shows that the Nabataeans controlled these floods by the use of [[dam]]s, [[cistern]]s, and water conduits. These innovations stored water for prolonged periods of [[drought]] and enabled the city to prosper from its sale.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nabataea.net/waterw.html |title=Petra: Water Works |publisher=Nabataea.net |access-date=2011-12-05 |archive-date=2011-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126220840/http://nabataea.net/waterw.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Lisa Pinsker |url=http://www.agiweb.org/geotimes/june04/feature_petra.html |title= Petra: An Eroding Ancient City |publisher=Agiweb.org |date=2001-09-11 |access-date=2011-12-05 |archive-date=2012-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331130050/http://www.agiweb.org/geotimes/june04/feature_petra.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In ancient times, Petra might have been approached from the south on a track leading across the plain of Petra, around Jabal Haroun ("Aaron's Mountain"), the location of the [[Tomb of Aaron]], said to be the burial place of [[Aaron]], brother of [[Moses]]. Another approach was possibly from the high plateau to the north. Today, most modern visitors approach the site from the east. The impressive eastern entrance leads steeply down through a dark, narrow gorge, in places only {{convert|3|–|4|m|0|abbr=on}} wide, called the [[Siq]] ("shaft"), a natural geological feature formed from a deep split in the [[sandstone]] rocks and serving as a waterway flowing into [[Wadi Musa]].<ref name="Fulford97">{{cite web |url= http://www.robertfulford.com/petra.html |title= Robert Fulford's column about Petra, Jordan |publisher= Robertfulford.com |date= 1997-06-18 |access-date= 2014-02-06 |archive-date= 2015-09-24 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924091633/http://www.robertfulford.com/petra.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

=== Hellenistic architecture ===
[[File:البتراء.JPG|thumb|The Hadrian Gate also known as the Temenos Gate]]

Petra is known primarily for its [[Hellenistic architecture]]. The facades of the tombs in Petra are commonly rendered in Hellenistic style, reflecting the number of diverse cultures with which the [[Nabataeans]] traded, all of which were in turn influenced by Greek culture. Most of these tombs contain small burials niches carved into the stone.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Petra: Rock-cut façades (article)|url=https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/west-and-central-asia-apahh/west-asia/a/petra-rock-cut-facades|access-date=2021-12-03|website=Khan Academy|language=en}}</ref>

Perhaps the best example of the Hellenistic style is seen in the [[Al-Khazneh|Treasury]], which is {{convert|24|meters}} wide and {{convert|37|meters}} tall and refers to the architecture of Alexandria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alexandria |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Alexandria-Egypt|access-date=2021-12-03|website=www.britannica.com|language=en}}</ref> The facade of the Treasury features a broken pediment with a central [[Tholos (architecture)|tholos]] inside, and two [[obelisk]]s appear to form into the rock at the top. Near the bottom of the Treasury are the twin Greek gods [[Castor and Pollux]], who protect travellers on their journeys. Near the top of the Treasury, two victories are seen standing on each side of a female figure on the tholos. This female figure is believed to be the Isis-Tyche, [[Isis]] and [[Tyche]] being the Egyptian and Greek goddesses, respectively, of good fortune.<ref name=":3" />

Another prime example of Hellenistic architecture featured in Petra is its [[Ad Deir|Monastery]], which stands at {{convert|45|meters}} tall and {{convert|50|meters}} wide; this is Petra's largest monument and is similarly carved into the rock face. The facade of this again features a broken pediment, similar to the [[Al-Khazneh|Treasury]], as well as another central tholos. The Monastery displays more of a Nabataen touch while at the same time incorporating elements from Greek architecture.<ref name=":3" /> Its only source of light is its entrance standing at {{convert|8|meters}} high. There is a large space outside of the Monastery, which is purposefully flattened for worship purposes. Formerly, in the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine period]], this was a place for [[Christians|Christian]] worship, but is now a holy site for [[pilgrim]]s to visit.

=== City centre ===
[[file:Amphitheatre, Petra, Jordan1.jpg|thumb|The Theatre]]

At the end of the narrow gorge, the [[Siq]], stands Petra's most elaborate ruin, popularly known as [[Al-Khazneh]] ("the Treasury"), hewn into the sandstone cliff. While remaining in remarkably preserved condition, the face of the structure is marked by hundreds of bullet holes made by the local Bedouin tribes that hoped to dislodge riches that were once rumoured to be hidden within it.<ref name="Fulford97"/> A little farther from the Treasury, at the foot of the mountain called ''en-Nejr'', is a massive [[Theater (structure)|theatre]], positioned so as to bring the greatest number of [[tomb]]s within view. At the point where the valley opens out into the plain, the site of the city is revealed with striking effect. The theatre was cut into the hillside and into several of the tombs during its construction. Rectangular gaps in the seating are still visible. Almost enclosing it on three sides are rose-coloured mountain walls, divided into groups by deep fissures and lined with knobs cut from the rock in the form of towers.<ref name=EB1911/> The theatre  was said to hold around 8,500 people.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Theatre {{!}} Jordan Attractions|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/jordan/the-ancient-city/attractions/theatre/a/poi-sig/1446303/1332397|access-date=2021-12-03|website=Lonely Planet|language=en}}</ref> The performances that audiences were able to attend here were poetry readings and dramas. [[Gladiator]] fights were also said to be held here and attracted the most audience, although no gladiator was able to gain any momentum or fame due to the heavy mortality rate that came with it. The theatre was one of many structures in Petra that took significant damage due to the [[363 Galilee earthquake]].<ref name=":4" />
[[File:Ornamental Garden and Pool Complex (12294195964).jpg|thumb|[[Petra Pool and Garden Complex]]]]

The [[Petra Pool and Garden Complex]] is a series of structures within the city center. Originally said to be a market area,<ref>{{Cite book|title=Petra, vol 3. Wissenschaftliche Vero¨ffentlichungen des Deutsch-Turkischen Denkmalschutz-Kommandos 3.|last=Bachmann, W., Watzinger, C. Wiegand, T.|publisher=De Gruyter|year=1921|location=Berlin|pages=37–41}}</ref> excavations at the site have allowed scholars to identify it as an elaborate Nabataean garden, which included a large swimming pool, an island-pavilion, and an intricate hydraulic system.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Petra Pool-Complex: a Hellenistic Paradeisos in the Nabataean Capital|last=Bedal, L-A|publisher=Gorgias Press|year=2004|location=Piscataway (NJ)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bedal L-A, Gleason K. L., Schryver J. G.|date=2007|title=The Petra Garden and Pool Complex, 2003–2005|journal=Annu Dep Antiq Jordan|volume=51|pages=151–176}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bedal L-A, Schryver J. G., Gleason K. L.|date=2011|title=The Petra Garden and Pool Complex, 2007 and 2009 field seasons.|journal=Annu Dep Antiq Jordan|volume=55|pages=313–328}}</ref>

Ahead of the Petra Pool and Garden Complex lies Colonnaded street, which is among few artifacts of Petra that was constructed rather than natural. This street used to hold a semi-circle [[nymphaeum]], which is now in ruins due to flash flooding, and used to hold Petra's only tree. This was intended to be a symbol for the peaceful atmosphere that the Nabataens were able to construct in Petra. Once the Romans took control of the city, Colonnaded street was narrowed to make room for a side walk, and 72 columns were added to each side.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/archaeology/the-ancient-city-of-petra2|title=The Ancient City of Petra &#124; AMNH}}</ref>

=== High Place of Sacrifice ===

The High Place of Sacrifice is perched atop Jebel Madbah Mountain.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-05-05|title=Petra- City of mysteries|url=https://thejordanianmappers.com/petra-Itinerary-trip|access-date=2024-05-25|website=The Jordanian Mappers|language=en-US}}</ref> The beginning of the hike is near Petra's theatre. From there, the site of The High Place of Sacrifice is around an 800-step hike. One commonly believed sacrifice that took place there was [[libation]]. Another common form of sacrifice that took place there was animal sacrifice; this is due to the belief that the tomb of the [[Tomb of Aaron (Jordan)|Prophet Aaron]] is located in Petra, which is a sacred site for Muslims. In honor of this, a goat was sacrificed annually. Other rituals also took place there, including the burning of [[frankincense]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Petra|url=https://www.memphistours.com/Jordan/Jordan-Travel-Guide/Petra-Attractions/wiki/Petra|access-date=2021-12-03|website=www.memphistours.com|language=en}}</ref>

=== Royal Tombs ===
{{wide image|Koenigsgraeber.jpg|1000px|align-cap=center|The Royal Tombs in the southern part of the city}}
[[file:Palace Tomb, Petra.jpg|thumb|The [[Palace Tomb]]]]

The Royal Tombs of Petra are in the Nabatean version of [[Hellenistic architecture]], but their facades have worn due to natural decay. One of these tombs, the [[Palace Tomb]], is speculated to be the tomb for the kings of Petra. The Corinthian Tomb, which is right next to the Palace Tomb, has the same Hellenistic architecture featured on the [[Al-Khazneh|Treasury]]. The two other Royal Tombs are the Silk Tomb and the Urn Tomb; the Silk Tomb does not stand out as much as the Urn Tomb. The Urn Tomb features a large yard in its front, and was turned into a church in 446 AD after the expansion of Christianity.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Tombs, Petra. Art Destination Jordan|url=https://universes.art/en/art-destinations/jordan/petra/royal-tombs|access-date=2021-12-03|website=universes.art|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Exterior platform ===

In 2016, archaeologists using [[satellite imagery]] and [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drones]] discovered a very large, previously unknown monumental structure whose beginnings were tentatively dated to about 150 BC, the time when the Nabataeans initiated their public building programme. It is located outside the main area of the city, at the foot of Jabal an-Nmayr and about {{cvt|0.5|mi|1}} south of the city centre, but is facing east, not towards the city, and has no visible relationship to it. The structure consists of a huge, {{cvt|184|by|161|ft}} platform, with a monumental staircase along its eastern side. The large platform enclosed a slightly smaller one, topped with a comparatively small building, {{cvt|28|by|28|ft}}, which was facing east toward the staircase. The structure, second in size only to the [[Ad Deir|Monastery complex]], probably had a ceremonial function of which not even a speculative explanation has yet been offered by the researchers.<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Parcak |first1= Sarah |last2= Tuttle |first2= Christopher A. |title= Hiding in Plain Sight: The Discovery of a New Monumental Structure at Petra, Jordan, Using WorldView-1 and WorldView-2 Satellite Imagery |journal= Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research |volume= 375 |date= May 2016 |issue= 375 |pages= 35–51 |jstor= 10.5615/bullamerschoorie.375.0035 |issn= 0003-097X |doi= 10.5615/bullamerschoorie.375.0035|s2cid= 163171099 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Archaeologists discover massive Petra monument that could be 2,150 years old |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/09/petra-buried-monument-discovered-jordan |access-date= 10 June 2016 |work= The Guardian |date= 10 June 2016 |archive-date= 10 June 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160610072915/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/09/petra-buried-monument-discovered-jordan |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Massive New Monument Found in Petra |url= http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/06/space-archaeology-satellite-petra-ancient-city-discovery-jordan-monument/ |access-date= 10 June 2016 |work= National Geographic |date= 8 June 2016 |archive-date= 9 June 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160609215944/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/06/space-archaeology-satellite-petra-ancient-city-discovery-jordan-monument/ |url-status= dead }}</ref>